Alliance of Crowns: Mana Crisis — World’s Core
Tara Found Us
The account opens with the Hero catching up to Malgor, while the entity in the Mana Core also catches up. It then says the Hero is dragged into the Plane of Mana, at Lore’s center in a world made from several timelines. There, the once-lost Princess Tara guides the Hero toward the Old Worlds Order, a collective of former worlds’ creators and deities who want to evaluate the Dragon of Time.
An unnamed first-person account says the Infernals sensed something hidden in the speaker’s blood, searched with claws and teeth, and that was how the speaker died. Later, the voice says it did not see Mom, Dad, or Brittany, did not reach an afterlife, and instead melted into Lore’s leylines, flowing through them for an unknown time.
Tara says she ended up here, took time to look human again, and, as far as she can tell, her outsides are in order. Nearby, unnamed dialogue celebrates that someone is alive, says Warlic could not find that person’s life energy, and begins an apology.
Gravelyn says she should be asking forgiveness: she had the power to turn back and save Tara. She connects that failure to Victoria’s grief and Brentan’s guilt, then begins to explain how her own words—that they could not save Tara in time—may have contributed to the secret between them.
Unnamed replies question whether Victoria and Brentan blamed Gravelyn, point to Greenguard’s many unresolved tragedies, and note the wider Good Faction, including its people and nobles, and the unfair pressure surrounding Victoria and Brentan. Gravelyn answers that people’s feelings are beyond her control; she says rescuing Swordhaven showed them how much weaker they were and admits she might be resented or feared. She calls Tara’s pain, and the other person’s pain, her own failures and vows not to look away.
Tara says she does not know what to say, then asks whether Victoria is all right. Drakath claims Victoria was wounded fatally, and Tara cries, “WHAT?” Drakath then gives a lurid account of mana-affliction swelling Victoria’s head until it popped like a balloon. Tara sobs that it cannot be true. Gravelyn counters that Victoria is fine and calls Drakath’s story a lie meant to upset Tara.
Drakath asks where they are, where Malgor is, and who is watching them; he says he has spent his life watched by scheming monstrosities. Unnamed lines ask how someone knows they are being watched and whether anyone is there. Tara asks them not to freak out; an unnamed response says it cannot promise but will try. Tara identifies the place as the Mana Core, also called the Plane of Mana by the beings who care for it.
A Noble Voice calls the Plane of Mana an aberration and a threat that should not exist. A Hostile Voice calls it both an obligation and a prison, saying they must keep it stable while others enjoy glory meant for them. A Calm Voice addresses the lost children of the universe, says they must meet, and asks the Champion of Mana to guide them there.
Gravelyn asks whether the voices are talking about Tara. Tara says she is sort of the Champion of Mana and that this is sort of the Plane compressed inside the Core. She says she hates it and will explain on the way there.
A Path into the Mana Core
Before the prerequisite is met, Tara says she is lonely enough to hallucinate her friends, tells the visitor they should not be there yet, and points them to /deadlines. After Nigh Invincible, she welcomes the visitor and Gravelyn. Tara says the voices brought the group into the Core because they want Lore safe and says those voices grabbed Malgor; she warns that they have their own problems and may seek a reason to hurt the group.
Tara identifies herself as the Champion of Mana. She says the infernals tore her to ribbons while seeking a way to use her dormant powers; after her previous body died, its pieces flowed through the leylines and solidified in the Mana Core, also called the Plane of Mana. She says she has been learning her powers alone, which unsettles the watchers.
Tara says Champions are chosen by an Elemental Plane and that Mana is a child element, though she has repeatedly been told it should not be an element. She describes several timelines being combined into a new world, with their mana and unfulfilled fates compressed into Lore’s Core until it began to behave like an Elemental Plane. She says an overabundance of mana and power after the first eight Avatars gave rise to younger child elements and Avatars. Einsof, she says, was supposed to be one of them; she was told “they’re volatile and unpredictable,” without further explanation. Tara says she is regarded as an aberration. She says the old deities keep Einsof dormant and will not let her leave. She also offers a refresher on the Mana Core.
Junction, South Path, and Beach
Tara’s shared notice says the ten route quests begin from her after Nigh Invincible and can only be completed once. From the second quest onward, each requires the previous one.
In “Lies in Peace,” Tara calls the Core and Plane of Mana the same place and offers to show the visitor a path to a junction. She asks them to be careful around wyverns, saying the voices mistook the creatures for the visitor. Later, she recalls that the first arrivals were vicious and that she once climbed trees to avoid them. She says she chose to keep them nearby because she wanted to hear the visitor’s voice, and that they become gentle when tired; holding a wyvern’s hand makes it disappear.
In “There Was an Attempt,” Tara says the Mana Core is not a completed Elemental Plane: it is trying to follow the universe’s rules and become one because it overflows with power. She calls the people-shaped blue forms attempts at elementals and says the moving ones will not leave the group alone unless they are re-liquefied. In her later account, she says the Plane could make real elementals but its attempts are being suppressed; the forms are unfinished and mindless. One of the voices described what they did to the Plane as “halting its gestation.” Tara says the voices do not want an Avatar or Elementals to be born, then wonders whether any elementals escaped.
In “Scared Straight,” Tara says the Mana Core shifts and its paths change direction, so she chooses the South route and asks the visitor to scare off monsters. She says the apparent infernals are false creations made by one of the voices to keep her in line. Later, she says those copies still scare her and recalls Gravelyn taking her hand while the visitor was occupied. Tara asks to go behind the trees for a moment because she does not want Gravelyn or Drakath to see her cry.
In “Making Waves,” Tara says the South path leads to a beach and describes the Core as Lore’s heart: mana gathers, flows down a waterfall into a bottomless ocean, and is pumped into the leylines. She asks the visitor to shove false infernals off the edge of the cliff. In her completion account, Tara says she tried to escape by jumping from the manafall many times but remains there. She says the voices must control how much mana leaves the Core, or the leylines and connected things could burst and leave Lore an asteroid belt rather than a planet.
Eastward, Through the Grove and up the Hill
In “In Circles,” Tara calls the beach a dead end and proposes returning to the junction to try the East path. She jokes that Drakath might drop them if asked to fly them, then says he can leave if he wants to be blasted; when he does not, she expects him to watch them face freakish elementals. Later, Tara says she and the things in the Core both hate Drakath and Chaos. She reports that the voices fear Chaos being outside their control and call Drakath annoying or sad; with the Queen of Monsters gone, she says, they called him “Directionless.”
In “Nameless Remnants,” Tara calls the East route a museum grove where she gathers old objects she finds while exploring. She says they look as though they came from the surface but may not belong anywhere, and invites the visitor to look before Gravelyn and Drakath handle everything. Later she wonders whether the items belong to the voices and whether she has been cleaning up after them. She recalls carrying a statue and cleaning armor, then says a dress reminds her of her mother.
In “Dreams Unborn,” Tara says the crystalized mana forms may differ from elementals. She speculates that they could be the dormant Mana Avatar’s consciousness rising and taking solid form, and says Einsof is confused and angry about not being born. Gravelyn is interested, so Tara suggests helping her gather some. Later, Tara says Gravelyn crushed the forms into pebbles, letting her hear words: she believes Einsof has been learning language from her and the voices while waiting to rise. She praises Gravelyn’s decisiveness and recalls Victoria admiring her while feeling a little jealous. Tara feels relieved that she was not the only one.
In “Innocent Crafts,” Tara says the North route leads to a hill where she speaks with the voices; one of them taught her to make pillows from mana. She says she used that lesson to make weapons or copy ordinary elemental spells and hopes to help protect the visitor on the climb. In “Cold Bedrock,” she says the half-baked elementals are acting up and calls confronting them a warm-up. She reports that the voices say the fused timelines created the world, identify the visitor as its Creator, and say this left them without a place, so they were forced here and are now known by what they once meant to people: Infamy, Tranquility, and The Law. Afterward, Tara says Tranquility wants to test the group; she wants a creator who understands her and can be her friend.
The Old World Order
Tara grumbles about the long climb and says the journey would be quicker if the masks came over. Gravelyn says the trek gave her time to think about Malgor’s memories and what it took to slay the Queen of Monsters. An unnamed first-person voice recalls being alone in the original cycle before the others caught up. Drakath remarks that the addressee’s form and abilities changed greatly, and admits how maddening it was to watch another trick appear. Unnamed replies say the powers surfaced only when needed, matched the threat, and were assumed to be standard until the Dragon became aware of who they were. Gravelyn says the powers overflowed until the addressee’s emotions could attain life. Drakath objects that this does not fit other Beings like the addressee, contrasting it with the Queen’s emotions taking the form of a heart that did not dress in red and black or call itself her savior. A Hostile Voice claims there is nothing else like the accursed Eternal Dragon and says they made sure of it.
Tara dismisses the masks’ speech as their usual spiel, then introduces the three representatives of the Old Worlds’ Order: Mask of Infamy, Mask of The Law, and Mask of Tranquility. Gravelyn asks who—or what—they are. Tranquility says that in this time and space they are no one, among many who have lost their true names and histories. The Law claims the Eternal Dragon fused their timelines and worlds, creating Lore and its universe and usurping the titles of Creator and Destroyer. Infamy interrupts to claim those titles, calling the group gods and creators of all that exists. Infamy mocks the stated extinction of a single planet as an excuse and calls the Dragon a fool; an unnamed voice denies intending to steal the titles or knowing that the fusion would have that result. The Law replies that intention does not change what happened.
Tranquility gives a different account of their shared burden: to Infamy, this is a karmic prison; to The Law and Tranquility, it is a responsibility. Tranquility says they and many others must use their strength to keep the Mana Core from wiping out existence. Drakath asks whether Malgor’s corruption of the Core caused Mana Affliction. Tranquility answers that Malgor’s attempt to enter and take the Core disrupted their concentration, says the three are only part of a larger group keeping it stable, and calls what Lore is experiencing its natural state.
Tara says she was taught that power does not simply disappear: Lore’s Core holds the mana and unfulfilled fates of the old worlds. She says neither the Core nor the universe can contain that much power and warns that they will explode if it is left alone. The Law likewise describes existence as perpetually near annihilation and says they were forced to become compatriots. Infamy blames the Dragon for leaving them to clean up a mess, claims Malgor came from the Dragon’s skull and had to be imprisoned, then calls the Dragon strong in body but weak in mind and claims the Dragon broke under the contempt of mortals. The Law says mortal fates were not meant to cross cardinal forces, yet the overabundance of mana gave the supposedly insignificant dangerous potential. These are the speakers’ explanations and judgments.
The Law assigns Gravelyn two known instances and calls her a mistake and proof of guilt whose fate should have carried little weight. Infamy attacks the Shadowscythe for following a leader outside their race, and Gravelyn protests. The Law calls Drakath “Dethrix Drakath the Second,” claims four known instances, and describes him as a tool whose fate should have advanced others. Infamy adds an insult about worms and slugs. After an ellipsis from Drakath, The Law claims Tara has two instances and Victoria four, calls Victoria the Queen destiny left behind, and says her name made little difference. Tara growls; The Law then claims these supposedly trifling issues swayed the Eternal Dragon and led to the present predicament. Tranquility offers only an ellipsis.
Infamy says they did not bring the Dragon there only to explain mistakes. The Law warns that another Malgor must not reach the Core, and Infamy threatens to tear the Creator’s crown away. An unnamed voice says, “I…maybe I should let them…” Gravelyn challenges Infamy over its lost glory and its decision to ignore her, then tells the others to stand back, declaring that she would not deserve her crown if she allowed Infamy to keep their tongue. Infamy laughs and claims Gravelyn as the one to crush. The Law dismisses the outburst as expected from “their kind” and invites the Dragon to surrender their duties to someone better suited. Drakath asks who could be better and says he sees no proof.
The Law claims Chaos taints Lore’s peace and perfection and has been allowed to thrive in no other world, threatening to remedy that exception once the Dragon is calmed. Drakath presents himself as perfection and threatens to shatter The Law for looking down on him. The Law calls him a stringless puppet and says the culling will begin early; Tranquility gives only an ellipsis. Tara then asks whether the listener truly agrees with the others and pleads, “Don’t hurt @Name!” Tranquility tells the Dragon to lift their chin and asks them to show the difference between gods and a Being who has suffered alongside their creations.
Twist Infinity: Masks and Claims
Gravelyn asks where the “mouthy mask” went after it knocked Gravelyn all the way there. Infamy boasts that the Shadows came from Infamy’s throat and that Voidstar could never hope to match Infamy, then asks whether Gravelyn thought it belonged to Gravelyn.
Infamy compares it to one of Infamy’s own fangs and says, “The Empire you rule was by my brethren,” a claim whose precise meaning is unclear. Infamy would rather the Shadowscythe be put out of their misery than inherited by a weak-willed human, denies that Gravelyn’s victories were earned or that Gravelyn’s father’s triumphs belonged to Gravelyn’s father, and claims the glory.
The Law calls this Chaos unpredictable and lacking substance, then tells Drakath that becoming Chaos’ Champion has taken away Drakath’s agency. Drakath threatens violence and begins to claim what “my Chaos” will do; The Law answers with the clipped phrase, “Chaos’ will .”
The Law says the Queen of Monsters was spawned by betrayal and describes her as one of many women killed by their husbands. The Law calls that instance and her rage unnoteworthy, then says Chaos changed her fate and Drakath’s. The Law tells Drakath that hatred and being used by others define Drakath, with emptiness and no purpose otherwise. Challenging the remembered encounter with the Dragon, The Law says Drakath did not fight the Dragon into submission: Drakath found the Dragon already on the ground and could not motivate them to stand. The Law describes trying, failing, and falling as Drakath’s cycle and fate.
Silencing and the Search for Hope
An unnamed voice says it did not win and accuses its listener of holding back. Tranquility says Lore’s flourishing under the Eternal Dragon’s protection had been enough, and that most of them respected the balance the addressee wished to create. Tranquility says witnessing Malgor bring creation close to destruction made “Silencing” an option. Tara asks what that means.
Tranquility says Malgor was born from the Dragon’s emotions and that this could happen again; the Dragon could also lose control and wreak havoc with incomprehensible powers. Tranquility describes the Old Worlds’ Order pooling their powers to erase the addressee’s emotions, ambitions, and thoughts while keeping the body breathing and maintained so time will flow naturally. Kyanos’ fate, Tranquility says, demonstrated that this was possible.
Tara calls the proposal a lobotomy and asks who would take over and demand worship. Tranquility says no power-hungry entity would take the Dragon’s place and there would be no interference with the world, because the Dragon proved it too dangerous. Tara challenges gods who only watch and leave problems to fix, comparing them with the infernals who killed Tara. An unnamed voice says “Tara…”; Tara says the addressee is a hero before any divine title and announces an intention to take matters into Tara’s own hands.
Tara says, “Eat this!” Tranquility asks, “You struck them?” and says continued protection from the others will no longer be possible; the supplied words do not resolve the strike’s target. Tara wants someone who understands hardship and tries to repair mistakes, hoping that person would go easy on Tara and everyone like Tara. Tranquility asks whether that is worth the risk. An unnamed voice thanks Tara, recognizes that giving up its powers would only pass its problems to someone else, and promises to try to prevent disasters and repair those that occur. Tranquility says hope for creation has been lost and wishes to turn back an internal clock, leaving thoughts unclouded and restoring hope for the addressee’s desired world. An unnamed voice repeats the thought about turning back the clock. Tara points to the fire burning out of control in the sky and says they need to get inside.
The Law says the addressee’s pain tolerance allows fantasies of victory to persist. Drakath accepts “Tried, failed, fell,” vows to keep trying until something gives or take what was earned, and insists that Drakath’s own actions, rather than powers, changed fate. Infamy cries that it burns. Gravelyn answers that Infamy has forgotten desperation or never known it, has never wanted blood as intensely, and is stuck there because Infamy is unwilling to burn for it. Gravelyn refuses any need to prove strength after turning Infamy’s failures into glory. Tara announces, “Infamy’s down!” and urges action before The Law gets hold of themselves; Infamy answers with “Now that’s what I’m talking about!”
An Intended Departure and Einsof’s Fate
An unnamed voice cries out, and Tara says, “No! Let them go!” Infamy threatens to swallow someone whole, then breaks into an exclamation. An unnamed voice asks whether this is Shadowflame corruption and begins to ask when Malgor did something. Gravelyn says Malgor’s minions must have infected Gravelyn’s blade during their invasion of the fortress; Drakath says it could not have acted alone and that Malgor is trying to escape. Drakath urges action before the chase must begin again. An unnamed voice says both are injured and Infamy has been Malgorified.
Tara insists on being able to fight and promises not to get in the way. Gravelyn tells the addressee to take Tara and go, promising to keep the masks and Drakath from following. Drakath says this is unnecessary: the masks are Drakath’s to crush, after which Drakath will return to ruining @Name’s day once Malgor is gone. Drakath insists that the addressee get rid of Malgor. An unnamed voice promises to return with Tara and finish this.
Malgor says the gods resided there and would have stopped Malgor regardless of the effort, making it all pointless. Tranquility says Malgor’s despair increases Malgor’s power, but questions that despair: the sword flew because Malgor wanted to save Malgor’s creator. Malgor asks whether Tranquility will refrain from stopping Malgor. Tranquility calls this the Dragon’s last test and says saving Lore will not be as simple as erasing Malgor. If the Dragon fails, Tranquility too must agree to Silence them. Beyond lies the body of Einsof, the Avatar of Mana, frozen in gestation. Tranquility tells Malgor to go because The Law is approaching, and says they await the destiny forged by Malgor and Malgor’s Creator.
The Challenge and What Might Follow
In “Rippling Heartbeat,” Tara frames the confrontation as four against three: the visitor and Tara against the Mask of Tranquility. She says The Law and Infamy warned that, if they lose, the visitor must “go Silent” and one of them will take the visitor’s titles. Tara admits she doubts they can win but says the point is to show they can fight back and protect Lore. In the completion account, she argues that giving powers away would not free anyone; a successor might be selfish or fail to understand those powers. She says gods who only leave problems for others to fix are no better than the infernals who killed her, and that understanding mistakes could make a happier world. After this route, Tara says Malgor escaped the Old World Order and is heading deeper into the Plane toward Einsof, whose birth, Tara says, is being held back by the Old World Order. Tara attributes to Tranquility the explanation that Einsof would control Lore’s overflowing mana.
A separate later entry, “Tranquil Mediocrity,” requires completion of “Rippling Heartbeat”; its notice does not say whether it can be repeated. Tara reports that Tranquility confessed to trying to be tough but fair while doubting their own confidence, and that their “other half” handled the harder parts of being a deity. Tara says she and Victoria felt better when they found ways to get their blood pumping, and proposes fighting monsters and sparring with Tranquility to clear bad thoughts. In the later account, Tara says Tranquility would rather the visitor take care of things if possible. She frames the consequence as a question of choice: if Malgor is destroyed, she says, the current cycle will fall and Malgor would not be in the past to slay the Queen of Monsters. Tara ends with uncertainty about what would happen.